mapping rips could save lives - Stuff.co.nz

KATE SHUTTLEWORTH

Last updated 05:00, October 23 2016

CHRIS SKELTON / FAIRFAX NZ

A record number of lifeguards are preparing to patrol the coast this summer, with flags to be put in place in the northern region beaches this Labour Day long weekend.

The sister of Warriors rugby league star Sonny Fai, who drowned on a West Auckland's beach while trying to save his 14-year-old brother from a rip, says new technology to map the deadly currents could save lives

Fai drowned in 2009 at a time when rescue crews didn't know which way a rip was operating, and were often sent out in different directions in a scatter gun approach.

Now Surf Life Saving New Zealand is trialling technology that allowed better mapping of how rips at high-risk New Zealand beaches behaved.

JACKSON THOMAS / FAIRFAX NZ

Surf Life Saving New Zealand will be mapping rips at New Zealand beaches.

The project involves measuring the physical layout of the headland rip current across a range of different swell, tidal and wind conditions throughout a six week period.

READ MORE:
* How to spot a rip at the beach - and how to escape from one 
* Four in lucky escape from rip after near-drowning in Wairarapa

National lifesaving manager Allan Mundy said he 20 devices called "drifters"  would be used to plot GPS data. Drones will be used to accurately map the currents and behaviours around the beaches.

SUPPLIED

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is mapping rips across New Zealand.

The trial would allow for more targeted and efficient rescue operations, said Mundy.

"Rescues often have an element of gut feeling," added Mundy.

Fai's sister, Lalelei Fai Tupulua, who now lives in Sydney, is educating her young son, 7, also called Sonny, about the risks in the water.

Sonny Fai's sister says new technology to map the deadly currents could save lives.

"I've explained to my little Sonny who he is named after what happened to his uncle. He understands the importances of safety. I always ask him what he'd do if he fell in the pool or was in a drowning situation."

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The memory of her brother's death is still raw.

"It's sad when I hear of drownings still happening in New Zealand, every time I hear of one I get chills - I become emotional and tear up because I know exactly what the family is going through."

Rips are a major killer in New Zealand waters, last summer, of the 15 people that drowned, seven were caught in rips. While 85 per cent of the rescues carried out last year involved people caught in rips.

Mundy said many people could swim, but didn't have the fitness to survive rips.

"What they didn't realise is they couldn't swim well enough for the environment they went into."

Getting out a rip safely requires fitness to swim over 200 meters, the ability not to panic. Most swimmers exhaust themselves fighting against the current.

Lalelei Fai Tupulua had a clear warning for anyone wanting to take risks on dangerous New Zealand beaches. "Please think before you do, if it's for the thrill, or whatever reason, it's not worth it. If you do choose to, be aware of the risks, have someone with you, pay attention to rips and educate yourselves."

"If there was a lifeguard he would still be here," she added.

Life saving patrols began this weekend in the Far North, Raglan, Mount Manganui and the Coromandel.

Patrols will be rolled out further south throughout November. Up to 4,000 volunteers will head out to patrol popular beaches.

They are pleading with people only to swim on one of the 80 patrolled beaches nationwide.

 - Sunday Star Times

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